The Presentation of the 9th Annual Book “Vernatun” at the “Hayartun” Center

On the 7th of July, at the “Hayartun” Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, the same name yearbook presentation of the “Vernatun” Unionof Armenian Writersof Georgia was held. This organization, whichbrings togetherArmenian creative people ofGeorgia,almosttenyearsago has created itsyearbook, in which each biennium the works and translationsof union membersand not only,in Armenian,Russian, and this yearalreadyin Georgian, are published. Within the framework ofthe 500th anniversaryof Armenian Printing RA Ministryof Diaspora financed the publication of the 9th annual book. The members from Tbilisi organization of the “Vernatun” Unionof Armenian Writersof Georgia, as well as from Javakheti Merenia village in Akhalkalaki region and Gandza, Heshtia villages in Ninotsminda region, creativefigures ofthe older, middle-aged and youngergeneration, intellectuals and the readership attended the presentation.

President of the “Vernatun” Union of Armenian Writers of Georgia Zhora Snkhchyan opened the presentation. Referring todifficult years of theunion creation and the problems ofthe time, he recalled his deceased brother-writers who were the pioneers of the organization, and praisedthe approachof like-mindedwritersin the developmentof Armeniancreative thoughtin Georgia, unification of creative peopleand coordination of their activities, the attraction ofnew membersin theorganization, and the developmentof the organization translationdepartment.

The editor of "Vrastan" ("Georgia") Van Baiburtian, the poetess and translator Anahit Bostanjyan, Candidate of Philological Sciences Emma Akhtyan, the poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari, the poets Narine Sirakanyan, Gevorg Hayasyan, Hovhannes Marikyan and others congratulated on the occasion of the yearbook publication. Speakersunderlined the importance ofthe yearbookin the presentationof the authors’ worksto the reader; they noticed that the review assessing the yearbookis needed, as well as the factthat theyearbookshould be discussedbyanarrowcircle of specialists andleadersinthe field of literature. Speech of the poet MichaelAkhtyan, in the past a member of the "Vernatun", and now of the Writers' Unionof Armenia,made astrong impressiononthe audience. After welcoming theaudience,he urgedto write a lot, do not break away from the motherland andthe native people. Atthe end of hisspeechMr.Akhtyanreadhis poem.

The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan blessed and congratulated everyone on the occasion of Vardavar-Feast of Transfigurationof Our LordJesus Christ, according to the Armenian Church calendar. The Primate of the Diocese highly appreciated the activities of the “Vernatun” Union of Armenian Writers of Georgia and the publication of the yearbook. He encouraged them to be worthy followers ofthe traditionsestablishedby our ancestors’organization "Vernatun" and to continue the development ofthe Armenianliterary thoughtin Georgia.

Due to the efforts of Roza Zoghrabyan, the head of Tbilisi organization of the “Vernatun” Unionof Armenian Writersof Georgia, during the presentation the students of Tbilisi Public School № 104 Ani Aghekyan, Viktoria Danielyan, Meri Khlgatyan, Liza Torosyan, Aram Melikyan and others read outexcerptsfrom the yearbook and recited poems. On behalf of the “Arevik” Children’s Fund Anna Mikaelyan with her dance congratulated the members of the “Vernatun” Union.

The performances of the violinistMariannaKirakozova, pianistsEteriTskipurishviliand KarenMirzoyan, the dance ensemble “Vanq” (choreographer Liana Kashavanidze), and the choir of School №104 “Little Armenians” (conductor Marina Arshakyan) decorated the event.